Arizona Fall League

Structure

The six teams of the AFL are organized in two three-team divisions. Each AFL team is affiliated with five teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), and each MLB team provides seven players from their Minor League Baseball affiliates, yielding 35-man rosters. The league provides an environment for top prospects to advance their development, in a setting that MLB governs and monitors, as opposed to other offseason leagues (such as the Puerto Rican Winter League) located outside of the contiguous United States.

Player eligibility has changed over time; as of 2008, each MLB organization could only provide one player below the Double-A level, and before 2019 there were service-time limits for any players on the 40-man roster of an MLB team, but as of 2021 all players within an MLB organization are eligible. Free agents are not eligible. The seven players each MLB organization provides consist of four pitchers and three position players. Positional needs for each AFL team (e.g. catchers) are coordinated between player development directors of the affiliated MLB organizations via a "position draft". An MLB organization can assign more than three position players; such players serve as a taxi squad for the AFL team and are limited to playing two games each week.

Play generally begins in early October (10/7 for 2024) and runs until mid-November, although play continued into early December for the first five seasons that the league operated. Each team plays approximately 30 games; schedule length has varied somewhat during the league's history. Following the end of the league's regular season, the two division winners meet in a championship game.

Players wear uniforms of their respective MLB parent club, along with an AFL team-specific hat. The league had its own team-specific uniforms before 1998 and in 2019. The manager, pitching coach, and hitting coach of each AFL team are provided by MLB organizations on a rotating basis.

Each team plays home games at its own ballpark, each of which currently has a seating capacity in excess of 10,000 spectators. For the 2019 season, only four venues were used due to ballpark renovation work.

The league has organized an annual all-star game since 2006. Initially known as the "Rising Stars Showcase", it has been branded as the "Fall Stars Game" since at least 2013. Included in the 2022 season was the Homerun derby. Players for the game are selected by league staff, scouting and farm directors, and MLB.com writers.

History

The league's inaugural season was 1992, during which each team played a 54-game schedule that ended in early December. The divisions and teams that season were:

• Northern division: Grand Canyon Rafters, Scottsdale Scorpions, Sun Cities Solar Sox
• Southern division: Chandler Diamondbacks, Phoenix Saguaros, Tucson Javelinas

The league's first game was played on October 6, 1992, with the Grand Canyon Rafters defeating the Scottsdale Scorpions, 6–4.

Before the 1994 season, the Javelinas relocated from Tucson to Peoria, to limit travel distances to the Phoenix metropolitan area. All teams have been located in greater Phoenix since then.

Since 1995, when the Diamondbacks became the Desert Dogs, no team has changed its nickname. However, each team has changed its location at least once during its history. The most recent change was by the Desert Dogs, who moved from Phoenix to Glendale in 2013.

For the 1998 season, organizers rostered players onto each Arizona Fall League team from a single division in MLB:

• American League East – Grand Canyon Rafters
• American League Central – Phoenix Desert Dogs
• American League West – Peoria Javelinas
• National League East – Sun Cities Solar Sox
• National League Central – Maryvale Saguaros
• National League West – Scottsdale Scorpions

In 2007, the United States national baseball team and China national baseball team played several games against AFL teams; both teams were later competitors in baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2019, the Mesa Solar Sox participated in the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta in early October, facing teams of the Mexican Pacific League.

In 2019, the league adopted a new logo. In 2020, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of future MLB All-Stars have had stints in the Arizona Fall League; over 300, per the league's website. In 1994, Michael Jordan played for Scottsdale during his time away from the NBA. Similarly, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow played for Scottsdale in 2016 during his foray into professional baseball.

Current teams

Each stadium hosts one or two of its MLB affiliates, denoted in bold, during spring training.

Each listed city is in Arizona. Team affiliations reflect the 2025 season.

Results by season

Results for each team since the league's inaugural 1992 season are listed below. Teams are listed by their nicknames only, independent of location, as various team locations have changed over time. Tie games are not listed, as they are excluded from winning percentage calculations, which determine division standings. The best winning percentage for a season was by the Saguaros who went 26–10 (.722) in 2011, while the worst was by the Saguaros in 2002 with a record of 11–32 (.256).

Through 1997, teams were organized into Northern and Southern divisions. For the 1998 season, American and National divisions were designated. From 1999 to 2021, the divisions were named East and West, except for four seasons (2003–2005 and 2008) when American and National naming was again used.

As of the 2022 season, divisions have been eliminated. The top three teams in the final regular season standings qualify for the postseason. The second- and third-place teams meet in a play-in semi-final game, with the winner facing the first-place team in the championship game.

Division winners appear in bold type from 1992 to 2021; beginning with 2022, the top three teams that qualify for the postseason appear in bold type. Tie-breaking procedures (such as between the Saguaros and Javelinas in 2021 for the West division title) are unclear.

Championship history

From 1992 to 2021, the first-place teams from both divisions met for the league championship. Originally a best-of-three series, it was played as a single game from 2001 to 2021.

As of the 2022 season, divisions have been eliminated. The top three teams in the final regular season standings qualify for the postseason. The second- and third-place teams meet in a play-in semi-final game, with the winner facing the first-place team in the championship game.

For the 2025 season due to weather concerns, the league went to a play-in style tournament with the top two teams from the regular season receiving a bye, the number six seed played against the number three seed, number five seed playing the number four seed. The winner of the three/six matchup would play the number two seed and the four/five matchup would play the number one seed.

The Peoria Javelinas have won the most championships, seven. The most consecutive championships is five, accomplished by the Phoenix Desert Dogs during 2004–2008. No championship game was held in 2020, as the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appearances by team

Notes:

• In the Seasons column, bold type indicates a championship
• Each current team has appeared under at least one former name:
  • Glendale Desert Dogs made eight appearances as the Phoenix Desert Dogs and one as the Mesa Desert Dogs
  • Mesa Solar Sox made three appearances as the Sun Cities Solar Sox
  • Peoria Javelinas made one appearance as the Tucson Javelinas
  • Salt River Rafters made five appearances as the Grand Canyon Rafters and one each as the Tempe Rafters and Surprise Rafters
  • Scottsdale Scorpions made one appearance as the Surprise Scorpions
  • Surprise Saguaros made three appearances as the Mesa Saguaros and one each as the Phoenix Saguaros and Maryvale Saguaros

Awards

Most Valuable Player award

First presented in 2002 and named for Joe Black of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the award honors the 1952 National League Rookie of the Year.

Source:

Stenson Award

The Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award was created in 2004, in memory of Dernell Stenson, an outfielder for the Scottsdale Scorpions (Cincinnati Reds), who was killed in a carjacking on November 5, 2003. The award is voted on by the managers and coaches of the six Arizona Fall League teams.

AFL Community Champion Award

The AFL Community Champion Award was created in 2025, is presented each season to an AFL player who exemplifies a strong commitment to community service and positive impact beyond the game. is presented each season to an AFL player who exemplifies a strong commitment to community service and positive impact beyond the game. This award celebrates a player’s contributions to local communities through charitable activities, volunteer work, mentorship, and other acts of service. The recipient is recognized not only for their performance on the field but for their dedication to giving back and being a role model within the community.

Performance-based awards

In 2021, the league added several awards: pitcher, hitter, reliever, breakout player, and defensive player of the year. Winners are listed in the below table with their position and major-league organization.

Hall of Fame

The Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame was created in 2001. The AFL has had over 1,200 former players reach Major League Baseball. Additionally, 18 former AFL managers or players have gone on to manage a major league club after managing in the league. To be considered by the selection committee, a player must be recognized at the major league level as a Rookie of the Year, a Most Valuable Player, an All-Star, or a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award winner. Through 2024, there were 46 inductees to the hall.

All-star game results

Through the 2025 edition, East and West have each won 7 of their 14 contests. The 2008 edition was staged as National vs. American, with the National team prevailing. No game was held in 2020, as the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only one game, the 2007 edition, has gone into extra innings.

Notes

References

References

1. (August 26, 2008). "Arizona Fall League Announces 2008 Rosters". Arizona Fall League.
2. (2021). "Arizona Fall League & AZ Instructional League".
3. "About the AFL".
4. (March 20, 2019). "MLB Moves Up Arizona Fall League Schedule for 2019".
5. (October 18, 2006). "Rafters call Surprise Stadium home for Fall League baseball". [[The Arizona Republic]].
6. Reaves, Joseph A.. (October 8, 2006). "A ball in the fall".
7. Buchanan, Zach. (November 3, 2013). "Barrett, Stites manage to earn spots as Stars". [[The Arizona Republic]].
8. Mayo, Jonathan. (October 10, 2019). "Here are Saturday's Fall Stars Game rosters".
9. Morales, Javier. (September 24, 1992). "Arizona Fall League falling into place". [[Arizona Daily Star]].
10. Stone, Larry. (September 22, 1992). "Baseball notebook". [[North County Times]].
11. (October 6, 1992). "Officials from development league welcome opening day". [[Times-News (Idaho).
12. (October 7, 1992). "Baseball". [[The Sacramento Bee]].
13. (April 11, 1994). "Javelinas will make trek to Phoenix – permanently". [[Arizona Daily Star]].
14. Ottens, Cale. (April 14, 2013). "Fall League team moving to W. Valley". [[The Arizona Republic]].
15. Walsh, Jim. (October 11, 1998). "Mesa loses Fall League team". [[The Arizona Republic]].
16. (October 9, 2007). "Season to open today in the Valley". [[The Arizona Republic]].
17. Finley, Ryan. (October 3, 2019). "Four-day baseball party returns, with Solar Sox replacing Wildcats". [[Arizona Daily Star]].
18. Caputo, Paul. (July 23, 2019). "MLB unveils new logo for Arizona Fall League".
19. Maun, Tyler. (September 21, 2020). "2020 Arizona Fall League season canceled".
20. These include [[David Wright (baseball). David Wright]] (2003), [[Dustin Pedroia]] (2004), [[Andre Ethier]] (2005), [[Bryce Harper]] (2010–2011), [[Nolan Arenado]] (2011), [[Mike Trout]] (2011), [[Mookie Betts]] (2013), [[Aaron Judge]] (2014), [[Gleyber Torres]] (2016), and [[Ronald Acuña Jr.]] (2017).[[Baseball-Reference.com]] minor-league records for each player. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
21. (November 15, 1994). "Baseball mad: Jordan, Scorpions account for 80 percent of Arizona Fall League's attendance". [[The Herald-Palladium]].
22. Peter, Josh. (October 11, 2016). "Tim Tebow makes Arizona Fall League debut, crashes into wall".
23. "Arizona Fall League".
24. (December 7, 1992). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[Arizona Daily Star]].
25. (December 3, 1993). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
26. (December 2, 1994). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
27. (December 1, 1995). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
28. (December 7, 1996). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
29. (November 21, 1997). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
30. (November 20, 1998). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
31. (November 19, 1999). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
32. (November 17, 2000). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
33. (November 16, 2001). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
34. (November 24, 2002). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
35. (November 14, 2003). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
36. (November 19, 2004). "Arizona Fall League (standings)". [[The Arizona Republic]].
37. "2005 Arizona Fall League".
38. "2006 Arizona Fall League".
39. "2007 Arizona Fall League".
40. "2008 Arizona Fall League".
41. "2009 Arizona Fall League".
42. "2010 Arizona Fall League".
43. "2011 Arizona Fall League".
44. "2012 Arizona Fall League".
45. "2013 Arizona Fall League".
46. "2014 Arizona Fall League".
47. "2015 Arizona Fall League".
48. "2016 Arizona Fall League".
49. "2017 Arizona Fall League".
50. "2018 Arizona Fall League".
51. "2019 Arizona Fall League".
52. "Arizona Fall League Standings".
53. "Arizona Fall League Standings".
54. "Arizona Fall League Standings".
55. "Arizona Fall League Standings".
56. "Arizona Fall League Standings".
57. "Arizona Fall League announces schedule change for '25 AFL Championship Game".
58. (December 9, 1992). "Fall League playoff game postponed". [[Arizona Daily Star]].
59. (December 12, 1992). "League president is satisfied with inaugural season". [[Arizona Daily Star]].
60. Stanlis, Jeffrey. (December 6, 1993). "Tempe wins it all in Fall League". [[The Arizona Republic]].
61. Peters, Nick. (December 11, 1994). "Major-League Beat: A's prospects thrive". [[The Sacramento Bee]].
62. Ketchum, Don. (December 4, 1995). "Saguaros capture Fall League title". [[The Arizona Republic]].
63. Weston, Steve. (December 9, 1996). "Scorpions' Magdaleno stings Mesa". [[The Arizona Republic]].
64. Eger, Bob. (November 24, 1997). "Peoria crushes Grand Canyon to capture Fall League title". [[The Arizona Republic]].
65. Stanlis, Jeffrey. (November 22, 1998). "Solar Sox fend off Rafters, sweep championship series". [[The Arizona Republic]].
66. McCurdy, Jim. (November 21, 1999). "Texas prospect pitches Mesa to championship". [[The Arizona Republic]].
67. Piecoro, Nick. (November 19, 2000). "Grand Canyon wins Fall League title". [[The Arizona Republic]].
68. (November 17, 2001). "Rafters vs. Dogs for Fall League title". [[The Arizona Republic]].
69. (November 18, 2001). "Arizona Fall League Championship Game". [[The Arizona Republic]].
70. Piecoro, Nick. (November 24, 2002). "Peoria overcomes team bug to capture Fall League title". [[The Arizona Republic]].
71. (November 16, 2003). "Solar Sox win title in Fall League". [[The Arizona Republic]].
72. Murphy, Doyle. (November 21, 2004). "Slam lifts Desert Dogs to Fall title". [[The Arizona Republic]].
73. "Scorpions 3, Desert Dogs 9 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
74. Piecoro, Nick. (November 19, 2006). "'The little things' help Desert Dogs to crown". [[The Arizona Republic]].
75. "Desert Dogs 7, Rafters 2 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
76. "Solar Sox 4, Desert Dogs 10 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
77. "Desert Dogs 4, Javelinas 5 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
78. (November 22, 2009). "Javelinas win 1st Fall League title since '02". [[The Arizona Republic]].
79. "Javelinas 2, Scorpions 3 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
80. "Rafters 9, Saguaros 3 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
81. "Javelinas 4, Rafters 3 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
82. "Solar Sox 0, Saguaros 2 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
83. "Javelinas 7, Rafters 14 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
84. "Scorpions 6, Saguaros 4 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday {{!}} MLB.com".
85. (November 19, 2016). "Saguaros 1, Solar Sox 6 (Final Score)".
86. (November 18, 2017). "Solar Sox 2, Javelinas 8 (Final Score)".
87. (November 17, 2018). "Rafters 2, Javelinas 3 (Final Score)".
88. Pleskoff, Bernie. (November 1, 2019). "Clouds Hover Over The Arizona Fall League".
89. (October 26, 2019). "Rafters 5, Saguaros 1 (Final Score)".
90. Norris, Josh. (September 21, 2020). "Arizona Fall League Cancels 2020 Season".
91. Boor, William. (November 20, 2021). "Mesa flirts with no-no, claims AFL title".
92. (November 13, 2022). "Surprise! Comeback in 11th wins AFL championship". MLB.com.
93. "Surprise captures second straight Fall League title".
94. "Rafters vs Saguaros Box Score".
95. (November 23, 2009). "Desme Wins AFL MVP Award". [[CBS Sports]].
96. "Brewers' Keston Hiura Arizona Fall League MVP".
97. Baker, Geoff. (November 23, 2010). "Can Dustin Ackley buck the Arizona Fall League MVP curse? The bar has been set pretty low". The Seattle Times Company.
98. "Yankees' Bird named Arizona Fall League MVP". MLB.com.
99. "Yankees teenage prospect Gleyber Torres named 2016 Arizona Fall League MVP". CBS Sports.
100. "Braves' Acuna caps breakout with MVP award". MiLB.com.
101. William Boor. (October 26, 2019). "Gleyber, Acuña, Hiura ... now Royce Lewis".
102. "Here are the 2022 AFL award winners".
103. "Padres' Marsee named Arizona Fall League MVP".
104. "Here are the 2025 Arizona Fall League award winners".
105. Boor, William. (November 20, 2021). "Cubs' Velazquez wins AFL MVP Award".
106. "Dernell Stenson Stats".
107. (November 7, 2003). "Town mourns outfielder". [[Rocky Mount Telegram]].
108. "Stenson Award". Baseball Almanac.
109. "Mariners prospect Patrick Kivlehan wins AFL's Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award".
110. "Yadiel Rivera wins Fall League Stenson Award".
111. Kramer, Daniel. (November 19, 2016). "Nola wins Fall League's Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award".
112. Gilbert, Steve. (November 17, 2018). "Pirates' Cole Tucker wins AFL Stenson award".
113. Jesse Sanchez. (October 26, 2019). "Reds' Stephenson earns AFL's Stenson Award".
114. Mayo, Jonathan. (November 20, 2021). "Phils' O'Hoppe wins AFL's Stenson Award".
115. "Here are the 2022 AFL award winners".
116. "Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award".
117. "Here are the 2024 Fall League award winners".
118. "Here are the 2025 Arizona Fall League award winners".
119. "AFL Community Service Award".
120. "Here are the 2025 Arizona Fall League award winners".
121. "Here are all the '22 AFL award winners".
122. Mayo, Jonathan. (November 20, 2021). "Here are all the '21 AFL award winners".
123. "Here are the 2023 Fall League award winners".
124. "Here are the 2024 Fall League award winners".
125. "Here are the 2025 Arizona Fall League award winners".
126. "Hall of Fame".
127. Fordin, Spencer. (August 19, 2015). "AFL Hall of Fame elects McCutchen, Utley".
128. (September 16, 2016). "Dodgers' Gonzalez elected to Fall League Hall of Fame". [[The Arizona Republic]].
129. Trezza, Joe. (August 25, 2017). "Trout, Scherzer, Wright join Fall League Hall of Fame".
130. (July 1, 2018). "Posey, umpires Barrett and Nelson join Fall League HOF".
131. (October 17, 2019). "Cobb to be inducted into Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame".
132. (October 27, 2006). "East Rising Stars 3, West Rising Stars 2 (Final Score)".
133. (October 26, 2007). "East Rising Stars 3, West Rising Stars 2 (Final Score)".
134. (October 24, 2008). "AFL American 6, AFL National 7 (Final Score)".
135. (November 7, 2009). "AFL East 7, AFL West 8 (Final Score)".
136. (November 6, 2010). "AFL East 2, AFL West 3 (Final Score)".
137. (November 5, 2011). "AFL East 2, AFL West 11 (Final Score)".
138. (November 3, 2012). "AFL West 4, AFL East 9 (Final Score)".
139. (November 2, 2013). "AFL East 2, AFL West 9 (Final Score)".
140. (November 1, 2014). "AFL West 2, AFL East 6 (Final Score)".
141. (November 7, 2015). "AFL West 8, AFL East 3 (Final Score)".
142. (November 5, 2016). "AFL East 4, AFL West 12 (Final Score)".
143. (November 4, 2017). "AFL West 2, AFL East 4 (Final Score)".
144. (November 3, 2018). "AFL East 6, AFL West 7 (Final Score)".
145. (October 12, 2019). "AFL West 2, AFL East 4 (Final Score)".
146. Maun, Tyler. (September 21, 2020). "2020 Arizona Fall League season canceled".
147. (November 13, 2021). "AFL West 5, AFL East 6 (Final Score)".
148. (November 6, 2022). "AFL NL 9, AFL AL 3".
149. "Top performers of 2023 Fall Stars Game".
150. "Top Performers".
151. "Top Performers".